Tourism And Rural Development: From Local Governance To National Strategies

All Regions
24 Jan 24

International Tourism Fair FITUR | 24 JAN 2024 - 15:00 - 17:00 | N101, North Convention Center IFEMA, Madrid

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Tourism for Rural Development Programme will host the event “Tourism and Rural Development: From Local Governance to National Strategies” on 24^th January at FITUR.

The seminar will analyse national strategies and policies focused on tourism as a lever for rural development and local models of tourism governance. The event will feature a session with local-level stakeholders and representatives from the Best Tourism Villages, providing an opportunity to delve into the practical experiences and success stories of these exemplary villages.

The event will also mark the launch of:

The Call for applications for 2024 edition of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages
New and innovative digital self-assessment tool developed by UNWTO. This tool is designed to assist villages in rural areas by evaluating their tourism development. Villages will receive a series of recommendations to evolve their tourism under a sustainable, inclusive, and smart model.

Programme

14:30

Participants registration

15:00

Opening remarks
Zoritsa Urosevic UNWTO Executive Director

15:15

Keynote speech: Tourism as a driver of rural development and territorial cohesion
Sandra Carvao, Director, Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness Department, UNWTO

15:30

Presentation of STAR (Self-Assessment Tool to Aid Rural Destinations). The UNWTO online self-assessment tool for rural destinations

Why is this tool needed and how it will shape the future of decisions in rural destinations?
Key features and functionalities:

Antonio López de Ávila, Global Manager of the Tourism for Rural Development Programme
Juan Carlos Izurieta, Project Specialist, Tourism for Rural Development Programm

15:50

Analysis and perspectives of local policies: Examples from the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO
Moderator: Antonio López de Ávila, Global Manager of the Tourism for Rural Development Programme
Panelists:

Ana María Blasco, Alcaldesa de Alquézar, Spain
Jordi Serracanta Marcet, consejero presidente de la Comisión de Turismo, Dinamización y Deportes del Comú de Ordino, Andorra
Dalila Dias, Aldeias de Portugal, Portugal
Santiago Salazar, Especialista de Productos y Destinos, Ministerio de Turismo de Ecuador (TBC)

16:45

Launching of the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2024 Edition
Sandra Carvao, Director, Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness Department, UNWTO

17:00

Closing remarks
Sandra Carvao, Director, Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness Department, UNWTO